System and method for the rapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol with RF energy and wood material supporting platform

ABSTRACT

Provided is a system and method for rapid aging of distilled ethyl alcohol. The system includes a vessel with at least one aperture for introducing RF energy at a preselected frequency to be absorbed by opaque material in a target area; at least one liquid circulating system; and a platform to substantially contain a plurality of units of wood as the opaque material. Each unit of wood has a plurality of capillaries containing at least wood sugar and resin. The system has a wood agitation system to move the wood through the target area. An RF generator provides constant RF energy at the predetermined frequency to induce oscillation of molecules within the wood. The system has an oxygenator to provide oxygen into the liquid mixture and outgas congeners from the liquid, the vessel further providing at least one vent structured and arranged to vent the outgassed congeners.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/160,017 filed Jan. 21, 2014 and entitled METHODAND ARRANGEMENT FOR HEATING OF LIQUIDS VIA RF ENERGY, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, this Continuationin Part application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/160,017 filed Jan. 21, 2014.

In addition, the following patent application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/516,544 filed Nov. 1, 2021 and entitled SYSTEM & METHOD FOR THE RAPIDAGING OF A DISTILLED ETHYL ALCOHOL WITH RF ENERGY.

In further addition, the following patent application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/868,649 filed Jul. 19, 2022 and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERAPID AGING OF A DISTILLED ETHYL ALCOHOL WITH RF ENERGY TO FRACTURE ANDEXPAND WOOD CAPILLARIES.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods rapidlyaging alcoholic beverages, and most specifically the rapid aging ofdistilled spirits.

BACKGROUND

Distilled spirits, such as brandy, bourbon, scotch, gin, tequila, rum,whiskey, and the like are traditionally produced by distilling batchesof fermented liquid to recover the ethanol and produce a raw liquid,which in turn is then aged in wooden vessels or vessels with woodenchips for years, if not even decades. The varieties of wood, such as oak(American/European/Sessile/Mongolian/etc. . . . ), cherry, maple, ash,etc. . . . are often selected for the flavor elements that they willimpart to the raw liquid during the aging process.

Although the raw liquid—also known as distilled ethyl alcohol—may beconsumed in an “as is” state, it is rarely marketed as such. Indeed, theaging process has been found and appreciated to be beneficial for theenhancement of flavor, color and aroma. These improvements are sosignificant that great investments of time and money are commonlyaccepted as the norm for the distilled spirit industry.

The traditional goal is to create an enjoyable blend of water, ethanol,and organic compounds known as congeners which are substances other thanalcohol or ethanol that are responsible for most of the taste and aromaof distilled alcoholic beverages. Although congeners may include manydifferent substances, some desirable and others not, a key class areesters which are the result of chemical bonding of an alcohol or phenolto an acid, specifically a carboxylic or phenolic acid. Undesirablecongeners are dissipated over time through the process of oxidation.

There are quite literally thousands of different esters which may becreated, and their development is directed by the types of wood or woodsused, and traditionally the nature of the starting raw liquid (is it tobe a scotch, bourbon, whisky, rum, other), and the time provided for theaging process.

To some degree the aging process is a blend of myth and science—“if wedo this, we will get that” Essentially, the long duration of the rawliquid resting within the wooden barrel or among saturated wood chipspermits polymer chemistry to occur wherein elements of the wood intermixwith the raw liquid and over time new compounds, such as esters, arecreated.

The traditional aging process involving wooden barrels is also subjectto loss of eventual product through the natural process of evaporation.Oxidation is an important element of the spirit aging process, and asthe wood allows air to enter, it also allows vapors to escape throughthe sides of the wooden barrel. Often referred to as the Angle Share,the aromatic aroma may well be enjoyed by visitors and employees, but itis the result of an undeniable loss of quantity of the developing agingspirit.

It is also noteworthy, that with respect to traditional aging processinvolving wooden barrels, the aging spirit is kept cool. In manyinstances efforts are even made to provide a consistent and uniform cooltemperature. Thus, it is clear that although heating is a common elementin the original creation of the distilled spirit, heat is not requiredto achieve desired aging qualities.

Moreover, long term aging is costly in both space and financialinvestment to maintain, protect and monitor the developing spirit.

Various parties have explored options to improve the process of makingaged distilled spirits. According to U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,547 to Nickol.one known method of producing whisky includes preparing a barrel ofwhite oak wood by charring the interior to an extent and depthestablished by practice. An aqueous-alcohol distillate (so-called highwine) derived from the fermentation of a cereal mash is introduced intothe barrel which is then tightly scaled and held preferably underprescribed conditions of temperature and humidity for a period of years.During this time progressive changes occur, both in the extraction ofcertain constituents from the charred wood and in the reaction of otherconstituents originally present in the high wines, either withthemselves or with constituents derived front the wood. Broadlyspeaking, the constituents which characterize the final product, inaddition to the base of ethyl alcohol, are organic acids, aldehydes,oil, and organic esters together with coloring matter.

One disadvantage of the aging process, according to U.S. Pat. No.2,807,547 to Nickol, is that the barrels can only be used once for theproduction of a satisfactory grade of whisky which adds substantially tothe expense, and the cost of handling liquids in containers of suchrelatively small size as compared to those used in other industrieswhich handle liquids, is relatively excessive. According to U.S. Pat.No. 2,807,547 to Nickol, attempts have been made to dispense with theuse of the charred oak barrels by storing the high wines in containersof stainless steel for example, and adding to the high wines so storedan amount of charred oak chips corresponding in ratio to those whichwould be presented to the high wines in barrel-aging practice, oralternatively to add to the high wines so stored a corresponding amountof the extractives obtained by the aqueous ethyl alcohol extraction ofcharred wood chips. But, notes U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,547 to Nickol, theseattempts have not been successful because, since the whisky is lackingcertain essential flavoring constituents when an attempt is made tocorrect this condition by the use of a larger amount of charred chips orextractives derived therefrom, the resulting whisky is, according toU.S. Pat. No. 2,807,547 to Nickol, over-balanced in certain otherconstituents and is therefore of inferior grade.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,547 to Nickol proposes a distillation method viawhich it is no longer necessary to use wood barrels, and the aging canbe carried out in drums of stainless steel or a similar material whichcan be re-used indefinitely or alternatively can be carried out in largevats or tanks of the same or similar material, with correspondingeconomies in storage and in transfer.

While U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,547 to Nickol points out the virtues of largescale handling of liquids treated in a distillation process, with suchlarge scale handling including the use of drums or tanks eachsignificantly larger than individual aging barrels, the distillingprocess still requires heating of the prepared liquid to produce vaporthat can subsequently be cooled or condensed into a liquid state. Theheating of large volume drums or tanks is often performed via gas-fueledheating elements which heat the drums or tanks themselves to therebyheat the prepared liquid retained in the drum or tank. This indirectheating approach thus leads to less than optimal energy conversion ofthe heating energy (BTU) of the gas-fuel combustion into thermal heatingof the liquid contents of the drums or tanks, as the drums or tanksthemselves heat up and do not completely transfer all of their heatcontent to the liquid contents. Also, the gas-fuel combustion approachcan lead to scorching of the liquid contents, wherein some portions ofthe liquid are subjected to over-heating.

Far more recently, Wen, CN 102433241, has presented a method forfermenting blackberry wine by high-energy pulse microwave aging.Essentially, Wen is setting forth a method of improving the fermentationprocess by adding dry yeast to clear juice which is then gentlyfermented at 26-28° C.—the heating achieved by the application of pulsedmicrowave energy. It will be understood and appreciated that thespecific cap to the temperatures is to ensure that yeast killingtemperatures are not generated. The use of pulse energy also helps toensure that there is dissipation of the applied RF energy throughout theclear juice, whereas a continued application would likely result intemperatures well above the desired 26-28° C.

Wen further describes that the aging of the wine is achieved, “Becausethe impact of the micro-wave energy that the high-frequencyelectromagnetic field-effect of microwave is produced has causedintensive concussion and friction between each quasi-molecule andmolecule in the wine base. Moment has been destroyed all kinds ofassociated molecule crowds in the wine base. Rapidly part alcoholmolecule, organic molecule group, water molecules are cut intoindividual molecule, be reassembled into relatively stable moleculargrouping then, these new molecular groupings have improved the qualityof fermented wine in varying degrees just” (translation from originalChinese).

In other words, Wen is clearly teaching the use of micro-wave energy todisrupt the molecules in the clear wine base—e.g., the alcoholmolecules, but Wen is also clearly and carefully instructing that themicro-wave energy should not cause issue or harm to the added yeast.Moreover, Wen is using pulsed microwave energy to excite the dipoles ofthe alcohol or water of the clear wine base.

But as the teachings of War are so clearly focused upon the fermentationof clear wine base and some subsequent aging, the absence of wood—indeedthe specific teaching of Wen let the juice stand to clarify and thenfilter to obtain a clear juice which is then the wine base subjected tothe pulsed application of microwave energy attenuated to excite thedipoles of the wine, make War of no value in the quest for rapid agingof a distilled spirit—a product that while perhaps dependent upon anearlier process of fermentation, is now yeast free and is actuallydependent upon the interaction of the distilled spirit with wood for thedevelopment of the coveted esters, for “age” and balance.

Hence there is a need for a method and system that is capable ofovercoming one or more of the above identified challenges. And it is toinnovations related to this subject matter that the claimed invention isgenerally directed.

SUMMARY

Our invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a novelmethod and system for the rapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol, akaa distilled spirit for human consumption, with RF energy.

In particular, and by way of example only, according to one embodimentof the present invention, provided is a system for rapid aging of adistilled ethyl alcohol, including: a vessel including: at least oneaperture suitable for the introduction of radio frequency (RF) energy ata preselected frequency selected to pass through transparent materialand be absorbed by opaque material, the at least one aperture above atarget area; at least one liquid circulating system structured andarranged to circulate a liquid from a lower portion of the vessel to anupper portion of the vessel; and a platform structured and arranged tosubstantially contain a plurality of units of wood as the opaquematerial proximate to a surface of the liquid within the vessel, eachunit of wood having a plurality of capillaries containing at least woodsugar and resin, the capillaries defined by molecular bonds ofmolecules; a wood agitation system structed and arranged to move theplurality of units of wood below the aperture and through the targetarea; an RF generator structured and arranged to provide a constant RFenergy at the predetermined frequency to induce oscillation of moleculeswithin the opaque material disposed within the vessel; at least onewaveguide disposed between the RF generator and the vessel, the at leastone waveguide structured and arranged to convey the generatedpredetermined frequency from the RF generator to the at least oneaperture; and an oxygenator structured and arranged to dispose oxygenwithin an opaque liquid mixture of ethyl alcohol and ethyl alcoholsaturated units of wood disposed within the vessel and outgas congenersfrom the liquid, the vessel further providing at least one ventstructured and arranged to vent the outgassed congeners.

In another embodiment, provided is a method for the rapid aging ofdistilled ethyl alcohol, including: providing a vessel having at leastone aperture suitable for the introduction of radio frequency (RF)energy at a preselected frequency into the vessel in a target area, thevessel further providing a platform structured and arranged tosubstantially contain saturated wooden material below the at least oneaperture, the vessel further providing a wood agitator structed andarranged to cycle saturated wooden material through the target area;providing a distilled ethyl alcohol having a first proof; providing aplurality of units of wood, each unit of wood having a plurality ofcapillaries containing at least wood sugar and resins, the capillariesdefined by molecular bonds of molecules; combining the distilled ethylalcohol and plurality of units of wood to provide an opaque mixture, theopaque mixture disposed within the vessel with the plurality of units ofwood supported by the platform, the opaque mixture having a surfacedisposed below the at least one aperture; circulating at least the ethylalcohol from a lower portion of the vessel to an upper portion of thevessel to continuously refresh the surface; cycling the units of woodthrough the target area; and applying a constant RF energy through theaperture at the preselected frequency, the applied constant RF energyexciting polar molecules of the capillaries of the units of wood withinthe target area to fracture and expand the capillaries, the fracturedand expanded capillaries absorbing the alcohol of the distilled ethylalcohol, the absorbed alcohol dissolving at least a portion of the woodsugars and resins into the distilled ethyl alcohol to rapidly age thedistilled ethyl alcohol.

In yet another embodiment, provided is a method for the rapid aging ofdistilled ethyl alcohol, including: providing a vessel, including: atleast one aperture suitable for the introduction of radio frequency (RF)energy at a preselected frequency selected to pass through transparentmaterial and be absorbed by opaque material in a target area; at leastone liquid circulating system structured and arranged to circulate aliquid from a lower portion of the vessel to an upper portion of thevessel; a platform structured and arranged to substantially contain aplurality of units of wood as the opaque material proximate to a surfaceof the liquid within the vessel, each unit of wood having a plurality ofcapillaries containing at least wood sugar and resin, the capillariesdefined by molecular bonds of molecules; and a wood agitation systemstructed and arranged to move the plurality of units of wood below theaperture in the target area; providing a substantially transparentdistilled ethyl alcohol having a first proof; providing at least oneunit of wood having a plurality of capillaries containing wood sugar,the at least one unit of wood being opaque; combining the distilledethyl alcohol and the at least one unit of wood to provide an opaquemixture, the opaque mixture disposed within the vessel upon theplatform, the opaque mixture having a surface disposed below the atleast one aperture; applying by the RF generator through the aperture, aconstant RF energy at the preselected frequency, the applied constant RFenergy expanding and fracturing the plurality of capillaries of the woodwithin the target area, the expanding and fracturing and expandedcapillaries absorbing the alcohol of the distilled ethyl alcohol, theabsorbed alcohol dissolving at least the wood sugars into the distilledethyl alcohol to rapidly age the distilled ethyl alcohol; and using thewood agitation system to cycle the units of wood disposed substantiallybelow the aperture in a targeted application area of the constant RFenergy.

And yet for still another embodiment, provided is a system for rapidaging of a distilled ethyl alcohol, including: a vessel including: atleast one aperture suitable for the introduction of radio frequency (RF)energy at a preselected frequency selected to pass through transparentmaterial and be absorbed by opaque material within a target area; atleast one liquid circulating system structured and arranged to circulatea liquid from a lower portion of the vessel to an upper portion of thevessel, the liquid circulating system including at least one angledreturn nozzle structured and arranged to induce rotation to thecirculating liquid and at least one sprayer nozzle structed and arrangedto spray circulating liquid into an area directly below the aperture; aplatform structured and arranged to substantially contain a plurality ofunits of wood as the opaque material proximate to a surface of theliquid within the vessel, each unit of wood having a plurality ofcapillaries containing at least wood sugar and resin, the capillariesdefined by molecular bonds of molecules; a wood agitation systemstructed and arranged to cycle the units of wood through the areadirectly below the aperture in the target area; an RF generatorstructured and arranged to provide a constant RF energy at thepredetermined frequency to induce oscillation of polar molecules withinthe opaque material disposed within the vessel when the opaque materialis within the target area; at least one waveguide disposed between theRF generator and the vessel, the at least one waveguide structured andarranged to convey the generated predetermined frequency from the RFgenerator to the at least one aperture; and an oxygenator structured andarranged to dispose oxygen within an opaque liquid mixture of ethylalcohol and ethyl alcohol saturated units of wood disposed within thevessel and outgas congeners from the liquid, the vessel furtherproviding at least one vent structured and arranged to vent theoutgassed congeners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At least one method and system for the rapid aging of a distilled ethylalcohol will be described, by way of example in the detailed descriptionbelow with particular reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike numerals refer to like elements, and:

FIG. 1 illustrates a rapid aging system for the aging of a distilledethyl alcohol with RF energy and a wood material supporting platform inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and a container with a mixture of units ofwood and distilled ethyl alcohol as an opaque mixture in accordance withat least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade and acontainer with a mixture of units of wood and distilled ethyl alcohol asan opaque mixture in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with at least one unit of wood anddistilled ethyl alcohol disposed therein as an opaque mixture inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, with atleast one unit of wood and distilled ethyl alcohol disposed therein asan opaque mixture in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with the initial application of RF energyupon the opaque mixture in accordance with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, with theinitial application of RF energy upon the opaque mixture in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1, of the rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, showing the target area for application ofconstant RF energy and liquid circulation return to induce rotation andwet the opaque mixture in the target area in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with continued application of the RFenergy upon the opaque mixture and the resulting rising column andbreakdown of the at least one unit of wood in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, withcontinued application of the RF energy upon the opaque mixture and theresulting rising column and breakdown of the at least one unit of woodin accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with continued application of the RFenergy upon the opaque mixture accumulating proximate to the surface ofthe liquid and the developing absorption of at least dissolved woodsugars by the distilled ethyl alcohol in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, withcontinued application of the RF energy upon the opaque mixtureaccumulating proximate to the surface of the liquid and the developingabsorption of at least dissolved wood sugars by the distilled ethylalcohol in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with continued application of the RFenergy upon the opaque mixture accumulating proximate to the surface ofthe liquid and the increasing opacity of the ethyl alcohol in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, withcontinued application of the RF energy upon the opaque mixtureaccumulating proximate to the surface of the liquid and the increasingopacity of the ethyl alcohol in accordance with at least one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with continued application of the RFenergy upon the opaque mixture having reduced the original wood chips tosmaller wood parts in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, withcontinued application of the RF energy upon the opaque mixture havingreduced the original wood chips to smaller wood parts in in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, with continued application of the RFenergy upon the opaque mixture accumulating proximate to the surface ofthe liquid and the addition of extra water in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, withcontinued application of the RF energy upon the opaque mixtureaccumulating proximate to the surface of the liquid and the addition ofextra water in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10A illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform, following the cessation of application ofthe RF energy, the opaque mixture being oxygenated and out gassing toprovide a finished rapidly aged spirit in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B illustrates a cut through view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1 ofthe rapid aging system and more specifically the vessel with a woodmaterial supporting platform and at least one sweeper blade, followingthe cessation of application of the RF energy, the opaque mixture beingoxygenated and out gassing to provide a finished rapidly aged spirit inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a high-level flow diagram for a method of rapidlyaging a distilled ethyl alcohol in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a high-level block diagram of a computer system in accordancewith at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciatedthat the present teaching is by way of example only, not by limitation.The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with aspecific method and system for the rapid aging of a distilled ethylalcohol with the application of RF energy. Thus, although theinstrumentalities described herein are for the convenience ofexplanation shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments,it will be understood and appreciated that the principles herein may beapplied equally in other types of systems and methods for method andsystem for the rapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol.

Turning now to the drawings, and more specifically FIG. 1 , illustratedis a high-level diagram of a Rapid Aging System 100, herein after RAS100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. It will be understood and appreciated that RAS 100 is asystem for the rapid aging of distilled ethyl alcohol—aka, distilleddrinking spirits or even just distilled spirits, but not exclusivelylimited to brandy, bourbon, scotch, gin, tequila, rum, whiskey, and thelike with radio frequency (RF) energy.

Moreover, as is conceptually shown in FIG. 1 , for at least oneembodiment, RAS 100 comprises a vessel 102 having at least one aperture104 suitable for the introduction of RF energy and at least onecirculation system 106 structured and arranged to circulate liquid froma lower portion 108 of the vessel to an upper portion 110 of the vessel.

For at least one embodiment the vessel 102 also provides at least oneaccess hatch 112 through which materials may be disposed into, orremoved from, the vessel 102. The vessel 102 also has at least one drain114 through which liquid may be extracted from the vessel 102. For atleast one embodiment, the drain 114 may be incorporated as a componentof the circulation system 106. The drain 114 may also have a pump (notshown) such that the liquid may be pumped from the vessel 102 at a rategreater than that expected from a typical gravity drain.

RAS 100 also includes at least one RF generator 116 structured andarranged to provide RF energy 118 at a predetermined frequency. Theprovided RF energy 118 is conveyed from the RF generator 116 to the atleast one aperture 104 of the vessel 102 by at least one waveguide 120.The RF energy 118 generally applied in a target area 122 below eachaperture 104. As is further discussed below, the RF generator provideselectromagnetic radiation to the vessel. This electromagnetic radiationmay be viewed as achieving localized heating, however the resulting heatis in actuality a byproduct of the intended purpose which is thefracturing and expanding of wood chips as is further described below.This fracturing and expanding is the result from traumatic localizedheating of the wood chips 148 as discussed below, however it will beunderstood and appreciated that to view the system and methods disclosedherein as simply “heating” is a vastly improper oversimplification.

As is shown in dotted relief, RAS 100 also has at least one platform 124disposed internally. In varying embodiments, this platform 124 may be afloating platform, meaning that it is structured and arranged to floaton or within liquid disposed within the vessel 102, and/or there may beone or more internal supports, such as but not limited to an annularring 126 to ensure that the platform 124 does not descend within thevessel 102 beyond a desired point.

For at least one embodiment, the relative height of the platform 124within the vessel 102 may also be adjusted, such as by adjusting thelength of a central shaft 128. For at least one embodiment the centralshaft 128 may also be a drive shaft, mechanically coupled to an externalmotor 130. For at least a first embodiment the motor 130 is operable torotate the entire platform 124 within the vessel 102. For yet a secondembodiment, the motor 130 is operable to rotate at least one sweeper fin(see FIG. 2B) about the platform 124.

As is further explained below, the platform 124 is a liquid permeablestructure, such as a screen or plate with holes, that is structured andarranged to support wooden materials, which are used in the rapid agingprocess accomplished by RAS 100. Indeed, as is further set forth below,the platform 124 ensures that wooden materials remain in the upperportion 110 of the vessel 102 and are easily agitated to be cycledthrough a target area 122 such that they are in a desired location toreceive RF energy 118.

For the conceptual embodiment as shown herein, there is one aperture 104and therefore one target area 122, however it will be understood andappreciated alternative embodiments may well provide multiple apertures104 each with a corresponding target area 122. As may also beappreciated in FIG. 1 , and further described below, the circulationsystem 106 returns at least a portion of the circulated liquid directlyinto the target area 122. As such, RAS 100 advantageously continuallyrefreshes the wood materials within the target area 122, and ensuresthat they remain substantially saturated with liquid during theapplication of RF energy 118.

In addition, for at least one embodiment RAS 100 further includes atleast one oxygenator 132, the oxygenator 132 structured and arranged todispose oxygen within a liquid disposed within the vessel 102 and outgascongeners. The vessel 102 also includes at least one vent 134 for therelease of gas from within the vessel 102.

For at least one embodiment, the vessel 102 is formed of stainlesssteel. Similarly, for at least one embodiment the platform 124 is formedof stainless steel. Further still, for at least one embodiment thevessel 102 and platform 124 are formed of food grade stainless steel.The vessel may also be equipped with one or more liquid valve ports (notshown) such that liquid may be disposed within the vessel 102 withoutthe use of the access hatch. In addition, additional access hatches (notshown) may be provided proximate to the lower portion 108 or even in thebottom of the vessel 102 so as to facilitate cleaning, maintenance orother tasks.

For at least one embodiment, the RAS 100 further includes at least onecomputer 136 that has been structured and arranged to control the RFgenerator 116, the circulation system 106, the oxygenator 132, theexternal motor 130, and optionally the drain 114. In addition, the atleast one computer 136 may further have communication with one or moresensors 138, affixed to or disposed within the vessel. In varyingembodiments, these one or more sensors 138 may be structured andarranged to sense various factors, such as temperature at one or morelocations within the vessel 102, fluid level, opacity of the fluid, rateof liquid circulatory flow, the nature of gasses within the vessel 102,and such other data points as may be desired in varying embodiments ofRAS 100.

In varying embodiments, the at least one computer 136 may indeed be asingle integrated computing system structed and arranged for the controland operation of RAS 100. For yet other embodiments, the control andoperation of RAS 100 may be subdivided to different physical computersystems 136, which are operated in consort for the control and operationof RAS 100. For either situation, the one or more computer systems maybe either off the shelf computing systems or custom-built systems thatare further adapted by hardware or software 140 as provided by physicalmedia 142 for the control and operation of RAS 100.

It will be understood and appreciated that the one or more computers 136have wired (network cables or other direct wire(s)) or wireless (Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, Cellular, etc.) communication links 144 with one or moreelements of RAS 100, and whether wired or wireless, such communicationchannels may be intermittent or constant without departing from thescope of the present invention. Further still, RAS 100, and morespecifically the one or more computers 136 may also be controlled by aremote application, and or utilize cloud computing resources understoodand appreciated to be provided by yet other remote systems and/oroperators.

As will be understood in greater detail with respect to the followingnarrative description and accompanying illustrations, RAS 100 isstructured and arranged to permit the rapid aging of a distilled spirit,such as distilled ethyl alcohol. It will be understood and appreciated,that such rapid aging is based in part upon the forced and acceleratedinteraction between wood and the distilled ethyl alcohol.

Moreover, distillation of a spirit is understood and appreciated to bethe process and/or method of taking a fermented ethanol—such as may bederived from the fermentation of grain(s), grape(s), or berry(s),fruits, plants etc. . . . The resulting fermented aqueous mixture isthen heated to separate the ethanol from the water as the ethanol has alower evaporation point and therefore may be easily separated from thewater to provide a highly concentrated alcoholic liquid, e.g., the ethylalcohol. Often there are other specific elements such as aldehydes,esters and fatty acids that are also present with the resulting ethylalcohol solution, all of which have specific flavors and aromas, theunique combinations of these chemicals making each type of eventualspirit different from one another.

As noted above, in this initial state, most such distilled ethyl alcoholliquids are not typically consumed as a desirable flavor, nose, andcolor profiles have not yet been established and matured. Thesedesirable flavor, nose, and color profiles are traditionally provided bywood of various types in which the distilled ethyl alcohol is aged for aperiod typically measured in months and years, if not decades to permita natural interaction between the distilled alcohol and wood material.

To achieve this rapid aging, RAS 100 is provided with one or more unitsof wood 146 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150, which at the start of therapid aging process is appreciated to be substantially transparent. Alsoreferred to as a “white whisky” this is a raw product which is inessence simply the recaptured distillate that would traditionally beplaced within a wooden barrel for traditional aging—more simply, it isan unprocessed distilled ethyl alcohol. For purposes of discussion andillustration, the initially substantially transparent nature of thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 is conceptually illustrated by dottedcircles 152. The distilled ethyl alcohol 150 has a first proof ofalcohol. Alcohol proof is understood and appreciated to be the measureof ethanol (alcohol) content in an alcoholic beverage, and is generallyunderstood and appreciated to be 1.821 times the percentage of alcoholby volume. For at least one embodiment the first proof of the distilledethyl alcohol 150 is about one hundred twenty-five proof (125 proof).

It will be further understood and appreciated that for at least oneembodiment, the one or more units of wood 146, are provided as woodchips 148. Further, the wood chips 148 are provided by toasting woodchunks, such as wood staves, in an oven and then chipping the toastedwood into chips.

For at least one embodiment, the use of small wood chips 148 is desiredso as to permit rapid saturation of the wood by the distilled ethylalcohol 150. For at least one embodiment the chips are about ½″ (0.5inch) in size.

It will be understood and appreciated, that as shown in the enlargedoval 154 as taken from enlarged wood chip 156, wood, like most greenplants, is a cellular structure presenting a plurality of cells orcapillaries 158 which are typically established by cellulose andhemicellulose, two common polysaccharides that serve as the structuralcomponents of plant cell walls. As polysaccharides, cellulose andhemicellulose are appreciated to comprise a number of sugar molecules.

It will also be understood and appreciated that the wood presentsvarious concentrations of cellulose, resins, tannins, and othermaterials. The chemical composition of such materials—cellulose,hemicellulose, resins, tannins, etc. . . . may contain similar moleculesin different proportions.

For purposes of the present invention, and the following description,the nature of these materials—e.g., the cellulose, hemicellulose,resins, tannins, etc. . . . may be simplified, such that the capillaries158 cellulose, hemicellulose, resins, tannins, etc. . . . of the woodchips 148 are appreciated to provide wood sugars 160 (conceptually shownas hexagons) and resins 162 (conceptually shown as stars), and othermaterials such as, but not limited to gums or tannins, shown as dots164.

It will of course be understood and appreciated that actual wood 146/148may provide many more desirable elements, and that there may also bevariations of different elements, such as different wood sugars withinany given type of wood. However, for purposes of discussion and ease ofillustration, those skilled in the art will appreciate the generalclassification/categorization of three elements—wood sugars 160, resins162, and other materials 164—is sufficient to encompass desirableelements and illustrate the teachings of the present invention withoutlimitation to specifically just these three elements. For ease ofillustration and discussion, these wood sugars 160, resins 162 and othermaterials 164 have been illustrated as separate elements distinct fromthe capillaries 158 themselves.

It is further appreciated that the types of wood sugars 160, resins 162and other materials 164 vary by wood species—white oak, aka Americanoak, French Oak, Ash, Cherry, Maple, Walnut, etc. . . . . Even within agiven type of wood, the nature of the grain—course, medium, fine,superfine—present different options for the nature of the capillaries158 and thus the concentrations of wood sugars 160, resins 162 and othermaterials 164 vary as well. And further, end grain and surface grainpresent different orientations of the capillaries 158, and as suchpermit different access to the wood sugars 160, resins 162 and othermaterials 164.

Indeed, within the distilled beverage industry it is generally acceptedthat end grain wood provides more tart/bitter tasting notes, whilesurface grain provides smooth/flavorful notes. Moreover, the orientationof the grain in traditional barrel aging is known to provide differentresulting flavor characteristics. Of course, as barrels are made fromstrips of wood, it is generally more costly to establish strips of woodwith the grain running perpendicular to the longitudinal center of thebarrel—but such may be provided in the interest of specific flavorprofiles.

Chipping the at least one unit of wood 146 provides an appreciable mixof surface grain and end grain that may not be easily obtainable withtraditional barrel aging. Indeed, alterations to the process of chippingmay permit the wood chips 148 to be provided with more surface grainrelative to end grain, more end grain relative to surface grain, orabout an even approximation of surface grain to end grain. Suchfungibility in how the wood chips may be provided advantageouslyprovides a wide spectrum for the eventual characteristics of the rapidlyaged distilled ethyl alcohol 150 provided by RAS 100.

It is the forced and accelerated interaction of the distilled ethylalcohol 150 with the wood chips 148, and more specifically these woodsugars 160, resins 162 and other materials 164, achieved through theconstant application of RF energy at a preselected frequency whichadvantageously permits RAS 100 to rapidly age the distilled ethylalcohol 150 in a matter of hours to the equivalent of many years oftraditional barrel aging. Indeed, for at least one embodiment, RAS 100rapid ages the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 in about twenty-four (24)hours to the equivalent of about ten (10) years of traditional barrelaging.

To appreciate this advantageous achievement, it is helpful to reviewthat conventional thermal treatment in food processing relies on thetransfer of heat by conduction and/or convection. For both of these,heat energy is physically transferred from one element to the next, andas such it will be understood and appreciated that to heat the center orany given area of a medium, the conduction or convention heat energymust travel through other portions of the medium before reaching thedesired area. In other words, heat is applied to the an outside, passedto inner material and to yet further inner material in essentially amechanical process. Absent the specific placement of a heating elementwithin the medium, it is not possible to heat a specific area withoutthat heat energy having propagated through—and thereby heating—otherportions of the medium first.

As an alternative, radiation is emission of energy from a source and canexist across a spectrum from very low-energy (low frequency), such aspower lines, to very high-energy (high frequency), such as X-rays andgamma rays. Radio frequency energy, commonly referred to as RF energy,includes radio waves and micro waves and is found at the lower-energyend of the electromagnet spectrum, below visible light. When absorbed inlarge amounts by materials, RF energy can produce heat.

The use of RF energy to generate heat is a fairly common practice, butwhen heat is the intention, the application of RF energy is set at alevel of intensity that will not result in the destruction of thematerial. However, as is the case with the present invention, theresulting heat may indeed be a natural byproduct of a more desiredoutcome resulting from the application of RF energy—the intentionalfracturing and expansion of the capillaries 158 of the distilled ethylalcohol 150 saturated wood chips 148.

RF energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation. In sharp contrast tomechanical energy—which requires a medium through which to travel (themolecules of the medium bump into one another passing the energy fromone element to the next), and cannot travel through a vacuum, RF energydoes not require a medium and therefore can travel through a vacuum aswell as through a first medium without causing appreciable effect ordisturbance to subsequently impinge upon and second medium or materialupon and within which it can and does cause a significant effect and/ordisturbance.

In vastly simplified terms, all matter is comprised of atoms withelectrons, and how these atoms are arranged with one another defines thenature of the material and is why one material is different fromanother. In these various arrangement configurations, the electrons areappreciated to be at different, but specific energy levels.

As RF energy attempts to transverse through a material, the ability todo so is determined by whether the frequency of the RF energy interactswith the electrons at their specific energy levels. Solid materialsabsorb the energy, while transparent materials do not. It will also beunderstood and appreciated that a material may be “solid” with respectto one frequency of RF energy, while “transparent” to another.

Further, when a material appears solid to an RF frequency, increasingthe RF energy frequency intensifies the interaction of the RF energyupon the skin or surface of the material, commonly referred to assurface effect or skinning effect. In contrast, decreasing the RF energyfrequency can and will permit the applied RF energy to react with thesurface and underlying substance of the material. Indeed, carefulselection of a predetermined frequency of RF energy permitssubstantially uniform absorption of the RF energy throughout a givenunit of material.

Again, in vastly simplified terms, RF energy heating is the result ofthe absorbed RF energy agitating the molecules of an RF energy absorbingmaterial to create friction between the molecules. More specifically, RFenergy is composed of perpendicular oscillating electric and magneticfields, i.e., electromagnetic fields. Molecules may be viewed as tinyelectrical systems and as such, any given material has an electricdipole due to the distribution of the positive and negative charge ofthe various atoms bonded together to provide the molecule. An electricdipole may be influenced to align in one direction or another based onthe presence and orientation of a corresponding electromagnetic fields.

For a material that is “solid” to a specific RF frequency, when asufficient amount of the RF energy is applied such that the oscillatingelectromagnetic fields of RF energy induce oscillation of the moleculescomprising the material by aligning the dipole fields of the molecules,the resulting friction between the oscillating molecules results inheat.

Those skilled in the art of RF energy and its various uses andapplications will understand and appreciate that RF energy interactswith surfaces more than intermediate material. RF energy causesoscillation of polar molecules, but the polar molecules of surfaces andat surfaces take precedence over materials without surfaces. A simpleexample of water in a traditional household microwave oven may serve tohelp illustrate this principle. When a glass of water is placed within amicrowave, the heating of the water occurs at the surface of the waterand along the surface of the glass where the water and the glass are incontact with each other, but as a household microwave oven operates withpulses, and as discussed further below, the on/off pulsation allows thegenerated heat energy to be dispersed throughout the water, thoughcareful measurement would indicate that the water was initially hotterat the surface and along the border of contact with the glass than inthe middle of the water—removed from the surface and boundary of theglass container.

By placing solid material into the water, additional points of surfacecontact are thus created permitting greater interaction by the RF energywith these additional surfaces, and thus more rapid heating of the waterin the glass.

Moreover, by selecting different frequencies, RF energy can be directedto impinge upon just a surface causing localized surface heating, or topenetrate the surface so as to cause a more uniform heating throughoutthe material. In addition, the frequency of the RF energy can beselected to pass through substantially transparent materials—air, gas,glass, transparent liquid such as distilled ethyl alcohol 150, etc. . .. —while being absorbed by non-transparent, i.e., solid—as in opaque,materials, such as wood chips 148. In other words, RF energy interactswith opaque materials because to the RF energy, the opacity isessentially a surface upon which the RF energy skinning effect maydevelop.

When RF energy is applied in pulses, generally each pulse is absorbedand partially dissipates within the material before the next pulse isapplied. Pulse RF energy application is therefore often appropriatewhere even dissipation of the applied energy is desired throughout alarge volume of material and/or localized areas of high temperature arenot desired and/or may be detrimental to an overall environmentrequiring uniform temperature or at least temperatures that do notexceed thresholds that would degrade portions of the environment.

Conversely, constant application of RF energy is far more appropriatewhen and where intense localized heating is fundamentally necessary anddissipation of the applied RF energy throughout the environment isdetrimental to the intended purpose of localized heating. Of course,rapid pulsing may in some embodiments be nearly as efficient as constantenergy, and/or may be desired for one or more reasons.

With respect to the present invention, RAS 100, and more specificallythe RF generator 116, is structured and arranged to provide constant RFenergy 118 at a preselected frequency, selected to pass throughsubstantially transparent material, such as the distilled ethyl alcohol150 in its initial substantially transparent form, while being absorbedby solid/opaque material, such as the wood chips 148. As discussedabove, it is the surface of the wood chips 148 that the applied constantRF energy is incident upon, however, as the wood chips 148 are saturatedin the distilled ethyl alcohol 150, to avoid issues of confusion withdiscussing “surfaces,” the combined wood chips 148 distilled ethylalcohol 150 are referred to as an opaque mixture, with the understandingand appreciation that the wood chips 148 as the opaque elements uponwhich absorb the RF energy (the surface skinning effect). This absorbedRF energy results in the rapid polar oscillation for the fracture andexpansion of the capillaries 158.

Although this oscillation could be induced for the mere purpose ofheating, with respect to the present invention, this oscillation isinduced for the specific purpose of causingfracture/expansion/rupture/breakdown/degradation/decomposition of thewood chips 148, and more specifically the capillaries 158 therein, thuspermitting the release and absorption of at least the wood sugars 160,and potentially resins 162 and other materials 164 by the distilledethyl alcohol 150.

While heating is a result of this polar molecule oscillation as well,and in many other applications heating may well be the intended outcomeof the application of RF energy, with respect to the present inventionand RAS 100, heating is a byproduct of the desired fracturing andexpansion of the capillaries 158.

To restate, it will be understood and appreciated that RF energy isgenerally applied in one of two forms—pulsed application and continuousapplication. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciatethat constant RF energy as a narrowband focused beam results in askinning effect, where the surface of the targeted material is morerapidly affected than the center (the oscillation and resulting heatingoccurs at and proximate to the surface, rather than the center). Incontrast, pulsed RF does not result in a skinning effect—the on/offcycle permitting dissipation and making it unsuitable for applicationsdesiring a skinning effect, but very suitable for uniform heating.

With respect to the present application, as uniform heating is not thedesired intention, RAS 100 employs constant RF energy so as tointentionally achieve a skinning effect upon the opaque materials, e.g.,the saturated wood chips 148. In addition, as a narrowband focused beam,the constant RF energy is easily applied to a target area 122 which isessentially directly below the aperture 104, or at the very leastgenerally in line with the emitted constant RF energy 118 as it existsfrom the aperture 104.

Indeed, because of the advantageous nature of the constant RF energy topass through the transparent material, e.g., the distilled ethyl alcohol150, the amount of energy imparted upon the wood chips 148 issubstantially greater than can be achieved by traditional heatingmethods, such as convection, conduction, vibration or other mechanicalmethodologies wherein the transfer of heat energy to the wood chips 148would by necessity also induce interaction (and heating) of thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150.

In other words, if the fracturing and expansion of the capillaries 158of the wood chips 148 for the release of the wood sugars 160 is viewedin the overly simplified light of a result of “heating” the wood chips148, absent the use of constant RF energy, such heating would bynecessity be the result of heating the entire mixture. Such an effort toraise the entire mixture to such a high temperature will have thedetrimental effect of breaking down the distilled ethyl alcohol 150.More simply, if the entire mixture was heated to the resultingtemperatures produced by the advantageous skinning effect of theconstant RF energy, breakdown of the wood chips 148, and mostspecifically the capillaries 158, might occur but it would be pointlessaccomplishment as the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 would be destroyed. Ifthe wood chips 148 were fractured and expanded without the presence of aliquid, it is most likely that the wood would combust—and thus destroythe wood sugars 160, resins 162 and other materials 164.

The present invention of RAS 100 advantageously overcomes this problemas constant RF energy 118 is advantageously applied in a target area 122to opaque materials (the wood chips 148) to induce traumatic heating(fracturing and expansion) without such traumatic heating occurring tothe surrounding wood chips 148 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150. Inaddition, because the extreme heating/traumatic heating is so localized,the remaining balance of wood chips 148 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150provide thermal regulation, and cooling to the overall opaque mixturewhich ensures that the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 is not destroyed.

To summarize, RAS 100 advantageously utilizes constant RF energy toapply concentrated energy directly to the saturated wood chips 148 so asto fracture and expand the capillaries 158 for release of, and accessto, the wood sugars 160 by the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 so as todissolve and absorb the wood sugars 160. While some heating andinteraction between the constant RF energy and the polar molecules ofwater and the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 may occur in addition to theintended interaction with the polar molecules of the opaque material(e.g. the saturated wood chips 148), such interactions are understoodand appreciated to be statistically insignificant and may therefore beconsidered as inconsequential with respect to the advantageous teachingof using constant RF energy for the fracturing and expansion of thecapillaries 158 of the wood chips 148 for the release of wood sugars160.

Those skilled in the art of RF energy application may simplify thingsand speak in terms of applying constant RF energy to heat the saturatedwood chips 148 to expand and fracture, but this “heating” is alsoappreciated to be fundamentally different from conduction or convectionheating methods, as this heating due to molecular oscillation exceedswhat would be necessary to simply heat the wood chips 148, but ratherexceeds simply heating and transcends to degradation of the wood chips148. Indeed, those skilled in the art of RF energy application willfundamentally understand and appreciate that alternative application ofconvection or conduction heating methods cannot and will not achieve theadvantageous result of the present invention. Moreover, absent a skilledin the art appreciation for RF energy application, a view of the presentinvention as simply teaching heating of wood chips 148 to degrade themfor the release of wood sugars 160, resins 162, and other materials 163is an improper simplification that belies the true advantageous natureof the present invention.

Moreover, for at least one embodiment, the predetermined frequency ofconstant RF energy 118 is selected to pass through the distilled ethylalcohol 150 for application to the at least one unit of wood 146. Stateddifferently, for at least one embodiment the predetermined frequency ofconstant RF energy is selected in a range to impinge upon opaquematerial within the vessel 102 more than dipoles of the alcohol orwater. More specifically, for at least one embodiment, the predeterminedfrequency of constant RF energy 118 provided by the RF generator 116 isin the range from about 3 MHz to about 915 MHz. Further still, for atleast one embodiment the RF generator 116 is further configured as amagnetron operating at about 915 MHz at, for example, about 10-200 kW,which may be tuned to provide the desired skinning effect upon the woodchips 148 within the target area 122.

Similar to high frequency RF which seeks to travel along surfaces, highvoltage also travels around the outside of most things—the cageeffect—which is the path of least resistance. As a result, the high RFfrequency of the RF generator 116—about 915 MHz for at least oneembodiment, combined with the high voltage—about 100,000 watts (100 kW)for at least one embodiment, provided as constant RF energy 118, ensuresthe development of both a skinning effect and a cage effect upon thesurfaces of the solid/opaque wood chips 148 within the target area 122,that results in traumatic localized heating due to excessive polaroscillation that results in the desired fracturing and expansion of thewood chips 148.

It may thus be appreciated that the constant RF energy as generated andapplied by RAS 100 is not traditional microwave energy. The generatedconstant RF energy 118 as utilized by RAS 100 is both at a lowerfrequency (megahertz rather than gigahertz) and is not intended tospecifically interact with the diploes of water or alcohol molecules.

For embodiments incorporating at least one computer 136 as noted above,the predetermined frequency of constant RF energy 118 may be adjustedduring the rapid aging process as advantageously permitted by RAS 100.

As heat is a natural byproduct of the constant RF energy 118 as appliedto the opaque material, e.g., the saturated wood chips 148, and as notedabove in the brief discussion of distillation alcohol has a lowevaporation point, it is most probable that the rapid aging processachieved by RAS 100 may result in evaporative liquid vapors. Thesevapors could be detrimental to the RF generator 116, and as with theloss of the “angles share” in traditional barrel aging represent apotential loss of eventual product. As such, at least one embodiment ofRAS 100 incorporates a vapor recovery system 166. For at least oneembodiment, the vapor recovery system 166 is a heat exchanger 168. Thisheat exchanger may be incorporated with or coupled to a portion of thewaveguide 120 to capture, condense and return liquid back to the vessel.

The process for rapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol 150 may be morefully appreciated with respect to FIGS. 2-9 , wherein an exemplaryvessel 102 has been enlarged and shown in cut-through view for ease ofillustration and discussion of at least one method for rapid aging ofdistilled ethyl alcohol 150 as advantageously permitted by an embodimentof RAS 100.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least one unit of wood 146, and morespecifically wood chips 148 have been provided, as has a substantiallytransparent distilled ethyl alcohol 150, the initial transparency of thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 again conceptually illustrated by dottedcircles 152.

Combined, the wood chips 148 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150 provide anopaque mixture 200, which for ease of illustration and discussion isinitially shown in storage container 202 so that the nature of theplatform 124 may be more easily described and visually perceived.Pre-establishing the opaque mixture 200 in a storage container 202 mayalso be desired in some embodiments so as to allow pre-soaking andsaturation of the wood chips 148. Of course, the opaque mixture 200 mayalso be established within the vessel 102 by directly adding and/ormixing the wood chips 148 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150 directlywithin the vessel 102.

As shown, the platform 124 is structured and arranged to substantiallyfit within the vessel and essentially subdivide the internal space ofthe vessel 102 into two sections—a bottom portion 204 and a top portion206. Simply put, the platform 124 is structured and arranged to supportthe plurality of wood chips 148 that are disposed in the vessel 102, inthe top portion 206 of the vessel 102, and thus most proximate andavailable to the RF energy when applied from the aperture 104.

As the wood chips 148 are indeed part of the opaque mixture 200 disposedwithin the vessel, and which is comprised of the wood chips 148 and thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150, it will be understood and appreciated thatthe platform is a liquid permeable structure. More specifically, for atleast one embodiment the platform 124 is provided by a supported screenor mesh 208, e.g., exemplary platform 124A. In an alternativeembodiment, the platform 124 is provided as a plate 210 with a pluralityof holes, e.g., exemplary platform 124B. The platform may also be acombination of screen and solid areas with holes, and/or may even havean additional filter layer (not shown). For ease of illustration, theplatform 124 as disposed within the vessel 102 has been conceptualizedas comprising screen or mesh. As the applied RF energy will fracture andexpand the wood chips 148 some small wood elements may pass through theplatform 124.

For at least one embodiment, the platform 124 may be a floatingplatform, having one or more ballast chambers (not shown) sufficient toprovide a positive buoyance to the platform 124 even when loaded with anappropriate amount of wood chips as may be desired for a specific rapidaging event. For yet another embodiment, the platform 124 may rest uponone or more internal supports 126, such as an annular ring.

As noted above, RAS 100 advantageously utilizes constant RF energy tofracture and expand opaque material—the units of wood 146/wood chips 148comprising at least a portion of the opaque mixture 200 that is withinthe target area 122. This fracturing and expanding may be viewed as theresult of superheating or traumatic heating, and is understood andappreciated to be localized event substantially within and immediatelyadjacent to the target area 122. As also noted above, the state of thewood chips 148 as saturated and/or immersed in the distilled ethylalcohol 150 advantageously permits this fracturing and expansion tooccur without the wood chips 148 combusting.

It will therefore be understood and appreciated that an advantage of theplatform 124 is to concentrate the wood chips 148 in the top portion 206of the vessel 102 and to maintain the wood chips 148 at or just belowthe liquid surface 212 within the vessel 102.

As used and described herein, it will be understood and appreciated thatthe target area 122 is not a two-dimensional (2D) area proximate to theliquid surface 212 of the liquid or the platform 124. Rather it is acolumn of space which may be considered in a sense as a volume—theprovided RF energy 118 will impinge upon opaque materials (e.g., thewood chips 148) within the target area 122, with some wood chips 148being closer to the surface while others are closer to the platform 124.Some wood chips 148 may even breach the liquid surface 212 momentarily,or be caught up in a froth or foam that makes the actual location of theliquid surface 212 more difficult to quantify Regardless, the targetarea 122 is the radial area into which the narrow beam of constant RFenergy is applied, and then absorbed by opaque materials at varyingdepth within that generalized area.

To further ensure that the wood chips 148 within the target area 122 areindeed at least saturated with liquid as they receive the applied RFenergy, for at least one embodiment the liquid circulation system 106has at least one spray nozzle 214 structured and arranged to spray atleast a portion of the circulated liquid into/onto an area disposedbelow the at least one aperture 104, e.g., the target area 122.

For at least one embodiment, the spray nozzle 214, and resulting spray216 of at least a portion of the circulated liquid affords at least twoadditional benefits. First, as the spray is traveling through air, thereis a potential cooling effect that helps to manage the overall ambienttemperature of the liquid mixture within the vessel 102 does reach alevel detrimental to the distilled ethyl alcohol (so hot that itevaporates). Second, the localized heating achieved with the constant RFenergy is traumatic to the wood chips 148 and as discussed below, canand does produce convection currents within at least the localized areaof the heated opaque mixture 200. This can result in the development offroth within the vessel 102, and the resulting spray 216 advantageouslyserves to knock down resulting froth.

For at least one embodiment, the relative height of the platform 124within the vessel 102 is adjustable so as to accommodate a greater orlesser volume of wood chips 148 for varying rapid aging treatments. Forat least one embodiment, the relative height of the platform 124 may beadjusted by adjusting the location of the internal support 126, i.e.,the annular ring—such as from one internal groove to another. For yetanother embodiment, the relative height of the platform 124 within thevessel 102 is established by adjusting the length of the central shaft128.

As may be appreciated from the figures, the target area 122 is but afraction of the entire possible liquid surface 212. As such, to ensurerapid application of the RF energy to substantially all of the woodchips 148, for at least one embodiment RAS 100 includes a wood agitationsystem 218 that is structured and arranged to move the wood chips 148below the aperture 104, and therefore through the target area 122. Inother words, the wood agitation system 218 cycles the wood chips 148through the target area 122.

For at least one embodiment, the wood agitation system 218 is providedat least in part by an external motor 130 being coupled to the centralshaft 128 which is in turn coupled to the platform 124 such that theexternal motor 130 rotates the platform 124 about a central axis andthereby moves the wood chips 148 through the target area. For yet analternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2B, the wood agitation system218 is provided at least in part by an external motor 130 being coupledto a central shaft 128 which is in turn coupled to at least one sweeperfin 220 which is driven to sweep about the platform 124 and circulatethe wood chips 148 through the target area. With respect to FIGS. 2A,2B, 3A, 3B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B thedifferentiation between each set (A vs B) is the presence or absence ofthe sweeper fin 220.

For still yet another embodiment, the wood agitation system 218 isprovided at least in part by an external motor 130 being coupled to thecentral shaft 128 which in turn is mechanically coupled to rotate boththe platform 124 and at least one sweeper fin 220. Further still, the atleast one sweeper fin 220 may be “eggbeater'ish” such as it rotatesabout a longitudinal axis that is generally normal to the central shaft128, thereby churning the wood chips 148 in addition to cycling themthrough the target area 122.

In varying embodiments, the rotation of the platform 124 and/or thesweeper fin 220 may be continuous, intermittent, or even variable as maybe controlled by the computer 136.

For at least one embodiment, the platform is provided by stainlesssteel. While the platform may be provided by any number of materials,including ceramic, glass, polymer and composite materials, it willgenerally be understood and appreciated that the platform 124 isprovided by a material that will not degrade or otherwise be adverselyaffected by the applied RF energy, or the resultant by-product heat,resulting from the localized application of the RF energy to the opaquematerial—the units of wood 146/wood chips 148 comprising at least aportion of the opaque mixture 200 within the target area 122.

Returning to the opaque mixture 200, as shown in the enlarged oval 222presenting an enlarged portion of a wood chip 148, the capillaries 158of the wood chip 148 are substantially intact, and present a pluralityof wood sugars 160, resins 162, and other materials 164. It may also beappreciated that distilled ethyl alcohol 150, as indicated by the dottedcircles 152 has saturated into the capillaries 158 of the wood chips148.

Alcohol is a solvent to wood sugars and may also be a solvent to somewood resins. Accordingly, for at least one embodiment, the efficiencyand effectiveness of the RAS 100 to rapidly age the distilled ethylalcohol 150 is improved by permitting the wood chips 148 to become fullysaturated before the application of constant RF energy.

For at least one embodiment, the opaque mixture 200 of distilled ethylalcohol 150 and wood chips 148 may be created ahead of time and setaside in another container where it is left to saturate for a period oftime before being disposed within the vessel 102. Alternatively, theopaque mixture 200 may be established within the vessel 102 and left tosaturate before the application of constant RF energy is commenced. Forat least one embodiment, the opaque mixture 200 is allowed to rest forabout 24 hours to saturate the at least one unit of wood 146, aka thewood chips 148, prior to the application of the constant RF energy.

For the opaque mixture 200 as disposed within the vessel 102, for atleast one embodiment, the ratio of the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 tothe at least one unit of wood 146, aka wood chips 148, is between about2.4 oz to about 4.1 oz of wood per gallon.

With the nature of the platform 124 now established, FIGS. 3A and 3Bpresent conceptualizations of RAS 100 with the opaque mixture 200 nowdisposed within the vessel 102.

With respect to the opaque mixture 200, it will be appreciated that theopaque mixture 200 need not be uniformly opaque. Indeed, initially asthe wood chips 148 saturated by the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 aresupported by the platform 124, they are in the top portion 206 of thevessel. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the opaque portion 300 ofthe opaque mixture 200 is substantially coincident with the location ofthe wood chips 148. A substantially transparent portion 302 of theopaque mixture 200 is shown below the opaque portion 300.

With respect to the initial opaque portion 300, it will be understoodand appreciated that initially, as the units of wood 146, aka wood chips148 are clearly opaque and the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 is clear, theopaque portion 300 of the opaque mixture is itself not entirelyuniformly opaque as generally clear distilled ethyl alcohol 150/308 isconceptually illustrated above the plurality of wood chips 148.

It may also be appreciated from FIGS. 3A and 3B that the opaque mixture200 has a surface 212 that is disposed below the inner top 304 of thevessel. Moreover, for at least one embodiment there is an air gap 306within the vessel between the liquid surface 212 and the inner top 304of the vessel 102, and this air gap 306 is in fluid communication withthe vent 134.

As shown, for at least one embodiment, the aperture 104 for RF energy isalso disposed in the vessel 102 proximate to the inner top 304. Suchplacement of the aperture 104 configures the aperture 104 to thus beabove the liquid surface 212 of the opaque mixture 200. Although thisconfiguration may be desired in some embodiments, as it permits theprocess of circulation to refresh the quantity of opaque mixture 200directly below the aperture 104, in varying embodiments the location ofthe aperture 104 for the introduction of RF energy to the opaque mixture200 and the position of the platform 124 supporting the wood chips 148as the initial primary element of the opaque mixture 200 may be varywithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, as the following description will explain, the RF energy isprovided into/upon dense portions of the opaque mixture 200. Anyplacement of the aperture for RF energy delivery that achievesapplication of RF energy upon dense portions of the opaque mixture 200is certainly in keeping with the teachings herein. For ease ofillustration, discussion, and fabrication, for at least one embodimentthe aperture 104 is shown disposed proximate to the top of the vessel102 such that it is above the liquid surface 212 of the opaque mixture200.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the RF generator (see FIG. 1 ) has been engaged andconstant RF energy 118/400 is being directed from the waveguide 120through the aperture 104 and into the vessel 102. As is conceptuallyillustrated by thin lines 402 versus thick lines 404 used to illustratethe constant RF energy 118/400, the constant RF energy is passingthrough the generally clear distilled ethyl alcohol 150/308 of theopaque mixture 200 (the distilled ethyl alcohol 150) and is impactingthe opaque portion 300 of the opaque mixture 200, specifically the woodchips 148.

Thought shown as operational in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B for ease ofdiscussion, if the circulation system 106 has not already been engagedfor mixing and circulation of the opaque mixture 200, for at least oneembodiment the circulation system 106 is now engaged so as toadvantageously assist with managing the localized intensity of heatingthat is the by-product of the fracturing and enlarging due to theapplication of the constant RF energy 118/400 upon the opaque materials,e.g., the wood chips 148.

As may be appreciated from the brief overview above, the constant RFenergy 400 impinging upon the opaque mixture 200, and most specificallythe wood chips 148, is applied with a frequency and intensity sufficientfor the to induce such extreme oscillation of the molecules comprisingthe wood chips 148, and more specifically the capillaries 158, tofracture and expand. This extreme oscillation also results in thegeneration of heat within the wood chips 148. Moreover, the constant RFenergy 400 generates a region of extremely high temperature proximate tothe opaque elements of the opaque mixture. It will also be understoodand appreciated that this extremely high temperature is localized to theportions of wood chips 148 that are within the target area and subjectto the constant RF energy 400. In other words, this localized hightemperature exceeds the ambient temperature of the rest of the opaquemixture throughout the vessel 102 (e.g., the opaque mixture of woodchips 148 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150 that is not currently beingsubjected to the constant RF energy 400 within the target area 122. Forthe exemplary early stage of the rapid aging process as shown in FIG. 3, it may be understood and appreciated that at this point in the processthe opaque elements are substantially the wood chips 148.

This localized heat does dissipate throughout the opaque mixture 200resulting in an overall rise in the ambient temperature of the overallopaque mixture 200 as a whole. For at least one embodiment, the ambienttemperature of the overall opaque mixture 200, is greater than aboutsixty degrees Celsius (60° C.). For at least one embodiment, the ambienttemperature of the overall opaque mixture 200 is about sixty-five pointfive degrees Celsius (65.5° C.).

As may be appreciated from enlarged oval 406 presenting an enlargedportion of a wood chip 148, the constant RF energy as applied to thewood chip 148 is resulting in the generation of heat 408 (shown as wavylines) within the wood chip 148. In addition to the oscillationachieving intentional fracturing of the capillaries 158, the byproductof the resulting heat 408 also induces expansion of the wood chip 148,and more specifically expansion and distortion of the capillaries158/410. As has been conceptually shown, capillary 410A is distorted andcapillaries 410B and 410C have ruptured.

This expansion and distortion of the capillaries 158/410 permits thecapillaries 158/410 to more readily absorb the alcohol of the distilledethyl alcohol 150. And, as alcohol is a solvent to sugars, the absorbedalcohol loosens and dissolves at least the wood sugars 160 into thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150. The expanded condition of the capillaries158/410 also permits the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 with loosenedand/or dissolved wood sugars 160, resins 162 and other materials 164 toflow away from the at least one unit of wood 146/wood chip 148.

FIG. 5 presents a cut through top view of the vessel 102 so as tofurther appreciate the nature of the platform 124 as disposed within thevessel 102, and the units of wood 146, aka wood chips 148 disposedthereon. Viewed from above, the target area 122 of impinging constant RFenergy 400 may also be further appreciated as a distinct portion of theoverall potential area/volume of the opaque mixture 200 within thevessel 102.

As noted above, RAS 100 includes a wood agitation system 218 that isstructured and arranged to move the wood chips 148 below the aperture104, and therefore through the target area 122. In addition to therotation of the platform 124 and/or sweeper fin 220 as discussed above,for at least one embodiment the wood agitation system 218 also includesa plurality of angled nozzles 500 as part of the at least onecirculation system 106. These angled nozzles 500 are disposed proximateto the platform 124 at an angle to induce rotational flow (indicated byarrows 502) to the circulated liquid. As the wood chips 148 are disposedwithin the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 the rotation of the liquidmixture as a whole also imparts movement, mixing and agitation betweenand among the various wood chip 148.

In FIG. 5 , the localized effect of the intense heating 408 may also beappreciated. FIG. 5 includes enlarged oval 406 depicting the generationof heat 408 and the enlarging and fracturing of capillaries 410A, 410B,and 410C, within wood chip 504. However, enlarged oval 506 depicts anenlarged area of wood chip 508, which has not yet entered the targetarea 122 and received an application of the constant RF energy 400.Accordingly, enlarged oval 506 shows the capillaries 158 of the woodchip 508 are substantially intact, and present a plurality of woodsugars 160, resins 162, and other materials 164 that have yet to bereleased.

Turning to FIGS. 6A and 6B, convection is movement caused within a fluidby the tendency of hotter materials, which are therefore less dense, torise while colder, and therefore denser, materials sink under the forceof gravity.

The concentrated heating of the wood chips 148 also results in heatingof the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 that is proximate to and/or withinthe heated wood chips 148, as well as the heating of the wood sugars160, resins 162 and other materials 164 that may have been dissolvedinto, or dislodged by, the distilled ethyl alcohol 150.

Again, as noted above, the resulting heating of the wood chips 148 andthe distilled ethyl alcohol 150 is substantially localized eventoccurring at and in the general proximity to the locations where thefocused narrow beam of constant RF energy 118/400 is incident upon theopaquest material, e.g., the saturated wood chips 148 within the targetarea 122.

As is shown in enlarged oval 600 the capillaries 158/410 are now evenfurther expanding, and/or degrading such that even more wood sugars 160,resins 162 and other materials 164 are interacting with the distilledethyl alcohol 150, and freely flowing away from the wood chips 148 fordissipation throughout the opaque mixture 200. The opaque mixture 200 isstill somewhat separated into an opaque portion 300 and a transparentportion 302, but thermally driven mixing, as well as the circulationsystem 106 is resulting in desired disbursement of wood sugars 160,resins 162 and other materials 164 resulting in an overall increase ofopacity within the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 itself.

This concentrated localized heating cannot be achieved or otherwiseequivalized to general heating of the overall mixture, for as previouslystated, if the entire mixture was heated to the resulting temperaturesproduced by the advantageous skinning effect of the constant RF energy,breakdown of the wood chips 148, and most specifically the capillaries158, might occur but it would be pointless accomplishment as thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 would be destroyed.

In keeping with the conventions of convection these heated materialsbeing less dense, will rise in the vessel 102. As the platform 124 isintended to contain the plurality of units of wood 146, e.g., the woodchips 148, proximate to the surface 212 to start with, the risingmaterial may be more of a rising froth rather than a distinct column aswould be expected in the absence of the platform 124 and if theplurality of units of wood 146 were initially resting at the bottom ofthe vessel 102. Still, the localized extreme heating can and will induceheated material 602, e.g., entire wood chips 148 and/or at least pieces604 thereof to rise towards the surface 212. Indeed, as a result of theapplied constant RF energy 118/400 the original wood chips 148 willbreak down in to smaller wooden element, i.e., pieces 604.

The rising of heated materials 602 presents more opaque elements forinteraction with the constant RF energy 400 within the target area 122,as well as the dissolving by opaque materials (more specifically thewood sugars 160, resins 162 and other materials 164) into solution bythe distilled ethyl alcohol 150.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, it will be appreciated that the application of theconstant RF energy 118/400 has been effective in fracturing andexpanding the wood chips 148 into smaller components of wood material,i.e., pieces 604.

As the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 is indeed a liquid with a highconcentration of alcohol, and alcohol has a lower evaporation point thanwater, the heating of the wood chips 148 and resulting heating of theproximate distilled ethyl alcohol 150 as a direct result of theoscillation to induce fracturing of the capillaries 158 could result inunintentionally evaporating away some of the alcohol. By circulating theopaque mixture 200 the intense and concentrated heat may be applied tothe opaque materials to facilitate the release of the wood sugars 160,resins 162 and other materials 164, but the circulation of the liquidopaque mixture 200 as a whole helps to minimize the evaporative loss andsomewhat cools the liquid most proximate to the sites of constant RFenergy 400 impingement.

It is this circulation that helps to ensure that the temperature of theoverall opaque mixture 200 is greater than about sixty degrees Celsius(60° C.), and for at least one embodiment, the ambient temperature ofthe overall opaque mixture 200 is about sixty-five point five degreesCelsius (65.5° C.).

In addition, the constant circulation continually refreshes the surface212 as the constant RF energy 400 is applied, thereby ensuring that theopaque elements of the opaque mixture 200 proximate to the surface 212receive high concentration of the predetermined frequency of theconstant RF energy 400.

As may be appreciated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the high concentration ofopaque materials 700 present in the opaque mixture 200 proximate to thesurface 212 results in the majority of the constant RF energy 400interaction occurs proximate to the surface, with less RF energy beingreceived by the materials below. This has been conceptually illustratedwith the use of thick lines 702 in the constant RF energy 400 within theopaque materials 700 proximate to the surface 212, with lighter lines704 in the constant RF energy 400 above the surface 212. To the extentthat some RF energy 400 may penetrate below the platform 124, here againthe interaction with opaque material—the units of wood 146/wood chips148 comprising at least a portion of the opaque mixture 200 is less thanthe interaction between the platform 124 and surface 212 as there isless opaque material 200—the units of wood 146/wood chips 148 comprisingat least a portion of the opaque mixture, in this lower region.

This permits the opaque materials proximate to the surface to be hotterwhile the materials at the bottom are cooler. In other words, the opaquemixture 200 proximate to the surface 212 is hotter than the opaquemixture 200 proximate to the bottom of the vessel 102. It will also beappreciated that as the opaque mixture 200 is circulated, the opacity isbeginning to even out throughout the mixture. It will also beappreciated in enlarged oval 706 that some of the dotted circles 152representing substantially transparent distilled ethyl alcohol 150 arenow appearing as solid circles 708 to conceptually indicate that thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 itself is becoming somewhat opaque, thoughstill translucent.

Moreover, circulation of the opaque mixture 200 advantageously permits adegree of overall temperature control upon the opaque mixture 200.Indeed, where the operation of RAS 100 is at least in part directed bythe at least one computer 136 (see FIG. 1 ), the control of the RFgenerator 116 (see again FIG. 1 ) and the circulation system 106 mayprovide even greater overall regulation of the overall temperature ofthe opaque mixture 200.

For at least one embodiment, the aperture 104 may be fitted with a glassor other material transparent to the constant RF energy. For yet anotherembodiment, the aperture 104 may be physically open such that risingfumes and gasses from the heated opaque mixture may actually enter atleast a portion of the waveguide 120. In at least one such embodiment,the waveguide 120 may be fitted with a heat exchanger 168 structured andarranged to cool the rising vapors such that they are condensed backinto liquid and returned to the opaque mixture 200.

In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the rapid aging process of RAS 100 has progressedand essentially all of the wood chips 148 have been reduced to lesserpieces 604. In addition, the circulation has aided in furtherdistributing opaque materials throughout the opaque mixture 200. Indeed,as the wood sugars 160, resins 162 and other materials 164 have beenreleased from the wood into the distilled ethyl alcohol 150, and atleast some of these elements being dissolved therein, the opacity of theopaque mixture 200 as a whole is increasing. The dotted circles 152 (notshown in FIGS. 8A and 8B) indicating the initial transparency of thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 in prior drawings are now replaced by solidcircles 800 indicating an overall darkening of the liquid, see enlargedoval 802.

As wood sugars 160 and resins 162 are dissolved into the distilled ethylalcohol 150 carboxylic acids are formed, which in turn react with thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 to form esters through a process known asesterification. This is a process that traditionally occurs very slowlyand gradually over long periods of time in traditional barrel aging.

However, the RAS 100 and more specifically the precise application ofconstant RF energy 400 at a preselected frequency advantageously permitsrapid development of esterification. Still, it will be understood andappreciated that the applied constant RF energy 400 is not intended toact upon the alcohol or water molecules specifically. Some interactionmay occur, but is of such statistical insignificance in comparison tothe intended fracturing of the capillaries 158 of the saturated woodchips 148 that what interaction between the constant RF energy and thealcohol or water molecules apart from the wood chips 148 may beconsidered irrelevant and not of relevance to the advantageous teachingsof the rapid aging. The byproduct of heat—also resulting from the rapidoscillation of the molecular structure of the wood chips 148 as inducedby the constant RF energy, aids in the release of the wood sugars 160,resins 162 and other materials 164 for the creation of compounds(esters) as the result of accelerated polymer chemistry, but thisresulting heat cannot and should not be looked upon as the sole intendedpurpose of the application of the constant RF energy.

As noted above, for at least one embodiment the first proof of thedistilled ethyl alcohol 150 is about 125 proof. At this proof, theconcentration of alcohol in the distilled ethyl alcohol is highlyeffective as a solvent advantageously permitting the rapid and nearlycomplete release of at least the wood sugars 160 from the capillaries158 (not shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B). However, these released wood sugars160 are still complex compounds, phenolic compounds specifically.

For the desired flavor, color and characteristics of an aged spirit, itis essential that these complex compounds be further broken down anddispersed. The addition of water aids in this process because waterpermits the complex compounds (the Phenolic compounds) to oxidize—whichthe initial higher proof of alcohol does not.

As such, for at least one embodiment as is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B,after the rapid aging process of RAS 100 has been performed for a periodof time to sufficiently achieve the release of most of the wood sugars160, resins 162 and other materials 164, a quantity of water 900 isadded to the opaque mixture 200 within the vessel 102. For at least oneembodiment the addition of water 900 may be achieved pouring the waterthrough hatch 112.

The addition of this water 900 results in a second proof of the opaquemixture that is lower than the first proof of the initial distilledethyl alcohol 150. This lower proof with the newly added water 900allows the complex compounds (the Phenolic compounds) to oxidize morecompletely than is possible when the opaque mixture 200 is kept at thefirst proof. For at least one embodiment this second lower proof isabout one hundred thirteen proof (113 Proof).

Moreover, for at least one embodiment seeking to provide a high qualityrapidly aged spirit such as, but not limited to, bourbon or whiskey asthe result of the rapid aging of the distilled ethyl alcohol 150, it isthe combination of having a high first proof for the solvent assistedrelease of at least the wood sugars 160 in combination with thesubsequent addition of water to achieve a second lower proof thatachieves the desired result. Starting with a lower first proof does notresult in as efficient and complete a release of the wood sugars 160,and omitting the additional water to drop to the second proof morefavorable to oxidation does not result in the same level of quality inthe resulting rapidly aged distilled ethyl alcohol 150.

As noted above, the creation of an aged spirit deemed enjoyable bymaster tasters in the beverage arts, typically includes the developmentof congeners which are the substances other than alcohol or ethanol thatare responsible for most of the taste and aroma of the distilledalcoholic beverage. Under this same label of “congeners” are alsoundesirable compounds such as butane, methanol, hydarzines, acetates andacetadldeyhes.

Fortunately, while good and desirable congeners are fairly stable andmay actually improve with oxidation, the undesirable congeners tend tooutgas from the liquid as a result of oxidation. As such, and to fosterthe development of even more esters as are the result of chemicalbonding of an alcohol or phenol to an acid, specifically a carbolic orphenolic acid, for at least one embodiment, RAS 100 includes anoxygenator 132.

Some congeners are desirable while others represent undesirableelements. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, while the opaque mixture 200 isstill very warm, such as about 43.3 degrees Celsius, for at least oneembodiment, oxygen 1000 is provided into the opaque mixture 200 from theoxygenator 132. Although shown for ease of illustration and discussionto be injected from the side, the oxygen 1000 may be introduced througha bubbler stone, ring, jet or combination thereof and from one locationor a plurality of locations within the vessel 102.

As circulation of the opaque mixture 200 is continued during theoxygenation process, the congeners and other volatiles resulting withinthe opaque mixture 200 from the rapid aging process as described aboveare provided ample opportunity to react with the introduced oxygen withthe result of off gasses 1002 being released and vented from the vessel102. For at least one embodiment, one or more sensors may be disposedwithin the vent to detect and measure the presence or absence of gassesand/or gaseous substances for the determination of when the off-gassingprocess has been substantially concluded.

With the process of rapid aging of the distilled ethyl alcohol 150essentially concluded, the solid circles 708 have now transitioned tosolid dots 1004 to conceptually illustrate that the distilled ethylalcohol 150 is now itself uniformly opaque. The opaque mixture 200 isextracted from the vessel 102, such as through a drain 114. To providethe expected essentially clear but colored aged spirit, the extractedopaque mixture 200 is filtered through at least one filter 1006 toremove wood and other particle residue.

The resulting filtered rapidly aged ethyl alcohol 1008 is now ready forbottling, distribution and consumption.

Moreover, for at least one embodiment, the RAS 100 may be summarized asa system 100 for rapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol 150,including: a vessel 102 including: at least one aperture 104 suitablefor the introduction of radio frequency (RF) energy at a preselectedfrequency selected to pass through transparent material and be absorbedby opaque material, the at least one aperture 104 above a target area122; at least one liquid circulation system 106 structured and arrangedto circulate a liquid from a lower portion of the vessel 102 to an upperportion of the vessel 102; and a platform 124 structured and arranged tosubstantially contain a plurality of units of wood 146 as the opaquematerial proximate to a surface of the liquid within the vessel 102,each unit of wood 146 having a plurality of capillaries 158 containingat least wood sugar(s) 160 and resin(s) 162, the capillaries 158 definedby molecular bonds of molecules; a wood agitation system 218 structedand arranged to move the plurality of units of wood 146 below theaperture 104 and through the target area 122; an RF generator 116structured and arranged to provide a constant RF energy 400 at thepredetermined frequency to induce oscillation of molecules within theopaque material disposed within the vessel 102; at least one waveguide120 disposed between the RF generator 116 and the vessel 102, the atleast one waveguide 120 structured and arranged to convey the generatedpredetermined frequency from the RF generator 116 to the at least oneaperture 104; and an oxygenator 132 structured and arranged to disposeoxygen within an opaque liquid mixture of ethyl alcohol and ethylalcohol saturated units of wood 146 disposed within the vessel 102 andoutgas congeners from the liquid, the vessel 102 further providing atleast one vent 134 structured and arranged to vent 134 the outgassedcongeners.

With respect to the above-described processes of rapidly aging adistilled ethyl alcohol 150, FIG. 11 presents a high-level flow diagramillustrating at least one method 1100 according to an embodiment ofrapidly aging a distilled ethyl alcohol 150. It will be understood andappreciated that the described method 1100 need not be performed in theorder in which it is herein presented, but that this is merely exemplaryof one method of rapid aging of distilled ethyl alcohol 150, such as maybe achieved with at least one embodiment of RAS 100.

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates a high-level flow diagram depicting atleast one method 900 for rapidly aging a distilled ethyl alcohol 150,which may be further understood and appreciated with respect to FIGS.2-10 . Moreover, method 1100 generally begins with providing a vessel102 having at least one aperture 104 for the introduction of RF energyinto the vessel, a platform 124, a circulation system 106, and a woodagitation system 218, block 1102.

It will be understood and appreciated that the vessel 102 may besubstantially as described above, the aperture 104 connected by awaveguide 120 to an RF generator 116 structured and arranged to provideconstant RF energy at a predetermined frequency.

Method 1100 continues with the providing of a substantially transparentdistilled ethyl alcohol 150 having a first proof, block 1104 (see FIG. 1). Additionally, a plurality of units of wood 146 (see FIG. 1 ) having aplurality of capillaries containing wood sugar are provided, block 1106.

The plurality of units of wood 146 and distilled ethyl alcohol 150 arecombined to provide an opaque mixture 200 (see FIG. 2 ), block 1108. Forat least one optional embodiment, the opaque mixture 200 is rested tofully saturate the at least one unit of wood 146 with the distilledethyl alcohol 150, optional block 1110. As an additional option, thiscombination and resting of the opaque mixture may occur outside of thevessel 102, optional block 1112.

Ultimately, the opaque mixture 200 is disposed within the vessel 102,the units of wood 146, aka the wood chips 148 supported by the platform124, block 1114. With the opaque mixture 200 so disposed within thevessel 102, a constant RF energy at a frequency preselected to impingeon the opaque material within the target area 122 is applied, block1116. As discussed above, this applied constant RF will impinge on themost opaque material first—which for the present invention is thesaturated wood chips 148.

Although RF energy may be applied to induce heating without significantdegradation or destruction of the targeted material, for the presentinvention the constant RF energy is intentionally applied as a narrowband to achieve a skinning effect upon the wood chips 148, and for thepurpose of intentionally fracturing the cellular structure of thecapillaries 158 of the wood chips 148. The byproduct of heat is alsoadvantageous in further inducing enablement, softening and distortionand degradation of the capillaries 158 of the units of wood 146 andpermits the alcohol of the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 to act as asolvent and dissolve at least the wood sugars 160.

Circulation of the opaque mixture 200 may occur prior to the applicationof the constant RF energy. Decision 1118 checks to see if the opaquemixture is being circulated and if the wood agitation system 218 isoperating as well. If the evaluation is “No”, the circulation system isengaged, block 1120. If the evaluation is “Yes”, a second evaluation isperformed to determine if the cycle of rapid aging is complete, decision1122. For at least one embodiment, the cycle for rapid aging is based ontime, such as an hour.

If the evaluation of decision 1122 is “No,” the cycle continues with theapplication of RF energy, returning to block 1116. If the evaluation ofdecision is “Yes,” the application of RF energy is halted, and theopaque mixture 200 is oxygenated, block 1124. As discussed above, for atleast one embodiment, an additional quantity of water may be optionallyadded to drop the proof from a first proof to a second proof. For suchan embodiment, the cycle evaluation may have a “Partial” state,indicating it is now the proper time to add the additional water, block1126.

Following the addition of the water at block 1126, the method returns toblock 1116 for continued application of RF energy 400. After theoxygenation of block 1124, the method continues with the filtering ofthe opaque mixture 200 to provide the now aged distilled ethyl alcoholspirit for bottling, packaging, shipping, and consumption, block 1126.

Moreover, for at least one embodiment, a method 1100 of rapid aging adistilled ethyl alcohol with RF energy and a wood material supportingplatform may be summarized as providing a vessel 102 having at least oneaperture 104 suitable for the introduction of radio frequency (RF)energy at a preselected frequency into the vessel 102 in a target area122, the vessel 102 further providing a platform 124 structured andarranged to substantially contain saturated wooden material below the atleast one aperture 104, the vessel 102 further providing a wood agitatorstructed and arranged to cycle saturated wooden material through thetarget area 122; providing a distilled ethyl alcohol 150 having a firstproof; providing a plurality of units of wood 146, each unit of wood 146having a plurality of capillaries 158 containing at least wood sugars160 and resins 162, the capillaries 158 defined by molecular bonds ofmolecules; combining the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 and plurality ofunits of wood 146 to provide an opaque mixture 200, the opaque mixture200 disposed within the vessel 102 with the plurality of units of wood146 supported by the platform 124, the opaque mixture 200 having asurface disposed below the at least one aperture 104; circulating atleast the ethyl alcohol from a lower portion of the vessel 102 to anupper portion of the vessel 102 to continuously refresh the surface;cycling the units of wood 146 through the target area 122; and applyinga constant RF energy 400 through the aperture 104 at the preselectedfrequency, the applied constant RF energy 400 exciting polar moleculesof the capillaries 158 of the units of wood 146 within the target area122 to fracture and expand the capillaries 158, the fractured andexpanded capillaries 158 absorbing the alcohol of the distilled ethylalcohol 150, the absorbed alcohol dissolving at least a portion of thewood sugars 160 and resins 162 into the distilled ethyl alcohol 150 torapidly age the distilled ethyl alcohol 150.

Alcoholic beverages are often an acquired taste, and distilled alcoholicspirits often even more so. What is pleasing and enjoyable to one personmay not be to another. However, even within the spectrum of differentviewpoints and expectations, there are some general norms which havebeen established. Is the color rich of caramel or thin like agedvarnish? Are there tasting notes of vanilla, nutmeg, peatmoss? Is thealcohol profile intense at first sip and smooth at the finish, or isthere an intensifying heat or burn?

Subjective though these criteria may be, there is often a common desireamong people to find ways to convey a mutual understanding andappreciation of a thing, and an understood desire for one person's viewand description to be accepted and perhaps even repeated by anotherperson. This definitely applies to distilled spirits, and has permittedthe development of an extensive system of comparisons and competitionsfor the ranking and evaluations of comparative distilled spirits.

With respect to the present invention of RAS 100 and the describedprocess of rapid aging, multiple respected persons within the distilledspirits industry have agreed that an embodiment of the aging processperformed over about twenty-four hours provides a rapidly aged distilledspirit that is essentially on par, as in equivalent to, a spiritresulting from ten years of traditional barrel aging. With respect tothe issues of time and actual expenses for storage, care, maintenance,etc. . . . and even loss through evaporation, the present invention maybe easily appreciated as a highly advantageous alternative.

To expand upon the initial suggestion of at least one computer 136 beingadapted to control RAS 100, and potentially the computer control systemfor the RF generator 116, FIG. 10 is a high level block diagram of anexemplary computer system 1200 such as may be provided for the at leastone computer or other computing elements whether provided as distinctindividual systems or integrated together in one or more computersystems.

Computer system 1200 has a case 1202, enclosing a main board 1204. Themain board 1204 has a system bus 1206, connection ports 1208, aprocessing unit, such as Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1210 with atleast one microprocessor (not shown) and a memory storage device, suchas main memory 1212, hard drive 1214 and CD/DVD ROM drive 1216.

Memory bus 1218 couples main memory 1212 to the CPU 1210. A system bus1206 couples the hard disc drive 1214, CD/DVD ROM drive 1216 andconnection ports 1208 to the CPU 1210. Multiple input devices may beprovided, such as, for example, a mouse 1220 and keyboard 1222. Multipleoutput devices may also be provided, such as, for example, a videomonitor 1224 and a printer (not shown). As computer system 1200 isintended to be interconnected with other computer systems in the RAS 100a combined input/output device such as at least one network interfacecard, or NIC 1226 is also provided.

Computer system 1200 may be a commercially available system, such as adesktop workstation unit provided by IBM, Dell Computers, Gateway,Apple, or other computer system provider. Computer system 1200 may alsobe a networked computer system, wherein memory storage components suchas hard drive 1214, additional CPUs 1210 and output devices such asprinters are provided by physically separate computer systems commonlyconnected together in the network.

Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that thephysical composition of components and component interconnections arecomprised by the computer system 1200, and select a computer system 1200suitable for one or more of the computer systems incorporated in theformation and operation of RAS 100.

When computer system 1200 is activated, preferably an operating system1228 will load into main memory 1212 as part of the boot strap startupsequence and ready the computer system 1200 for operation. At thesimplest level, and in the most general sense, the tasks of an operatingsystem fall into specific categories, such as, process management,device management (including application and User interface management)and memory management, for example. The form of the computer-readablemedium 1230 and language of the program 1232 are understood to beappropriate for and functionally cooperate with the computer system1200.

Moreover, variations of computer system 1200 may be adapted to providethe physical elements of one or more components comprising the at leastone computer 136, the control systems (if any) within the RF generator116, and other such devices or elements incorporated as part of RAS 100as may be desired and appropriate for the methods and systems for therapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol with RF energy as set forthherein.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the above methods,systems and structures without departing from the scope hereof. Itshould thus be noted that the matter contained in the above descriptionand/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims areintended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, aswell as all statements of the scope of the present method, system andstructure, which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for rapid aging of a distilled ethylalcohol, comprising: a vessel including: at least one aperture suitablefor the introduction of radio frequency (RF) energy at a preselectedfrequency selected to pass through transparent material and be absorbedby opaque material, the at least one aperture above a target area; atleast one liquid circulating system structured and arranged to circulatea liquid from a lower portion of the vessel to an upper portion of thevessel; and a platform structured and arranged to substantially containa plurality of units of wood as the opaque material proximate to asurface of the liquid within the vessel, each unit of wood having aplurality of capillaries containing at least wood sugar and resin, thecapillaries defined by molecular bonds of molecules; a wood agitationsystem structed and arranged to move the plurality of units of woodbelow the aperture and through the target area; an RF generatorstructured and arranged to provide a constant RF energy at thepredetermined frequency to induce oscillation of molecules within theopaque material disposed within the vessel; at least one waveguidedisposed between the RF generator and the vessel, the at least onewaveguide structured and arranged to convey the generated predeterminedfrequency from the RF generator to the at least one aperture; and anoxygenator structured and arranged to dispose oxygen within an opaqueliquid mixture of ethyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol saturated units ofwood disposed within the vessel and outgas congeners from the liquid,the vessel further providing at least one vent structured and arrangedto vent the outgassed congeners.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theplatform is a liquid permeable screen.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe platform is formed of stainless steel.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the platform is a floating platform.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the wood agitation system is a platform rotation systemstructured and arranged to rotate the platform below the at least oneaperture.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the platform rotation systemincludes a central drive shaft extending from a center point of theplatform, the driveshaft driven by an external motor.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the wood agitation system includes a plurality ofangled nozzles as part of the at least one liquid circulating system,the angled nozzles disposed proximate to the platform at an angle toinduce rotational flow to the circulated liquid.
 8. The system of claim1, wherein the wood agitation system is at least one sweeper finextending from a central drive shaft disposed adjacent to the platform,the at least one sweeper fin structured and arranged to move theplurality of units of wood around on the platform.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, further including at least one platform support structured andarranged to maintain the platform at a pre-determined height within thevessel.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one liquidcirculation system further includes at least one spray nozzle structuredand arranged to spray at least a portion of the circulated liquid intoan area disposed below the at least one aperture.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the ratio of distilled ethyl alcohol to the pluralityof units of wood in an opaque mixture disposed within the vessel isbetween 2.4 oz to 4.1 oz of wood per gallon.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the opaque material is at least one unit of wood having aplurality of capillaries containing wood sugar, the RF generatorstructured and arranged to provide the constant RF energy at thepredetermined frequency selected to fracture and expand the capillariesby inducing localized heating of units of wood within the target area.13. A system for rapid aging of a distilled ethyl alcohol, comprising: avessel including: at least one aperture suitable for the introduction ofradio frequency (RF) energy at a preselected frequency selected to passthrough transparent material and be absorbed by opaque material within atarget area; at least one liquid circulating system structured andarranged to circulate a liquid from a lower portion of the vessel to anupper portion of the vessel, the liquid circulating system including atleast one angled return nozzle structured and arranged to inducerotation to the circulating liquid and at least one sprayer nozzlestructed and arranged to spray circulating liquid into an area directlybelow the aperture; a platform structured and arranged to substantiallycontain a plurality of units of wood as the opaque material proximate toa surface of the liquid within the vessel, each unit of wood having aplurality of capillaries containing at least wood sugar and resin, thecapillaries defined by molecular bonds of molecules; a wood agitationsystem structed and arranged to cycle the units of wood through the areadirectly below the aperture in the target area; an RF generatorstructured and arranged to provide a constant RF energy at thepredetermined frequency to induce oscillation of polar molecules withinthe opaque material disposed within the vessel when the opaque materialis within the target area; at least one waveguide disposed between theRF generator and the vessel, the at least one waveguide structured andarranged to convey the generated predetermined frequency from the RFgenerator to the at least one aperture; and an oxygenator structured andarranged to dispose oxygen within an opaque liquid mixture of ethylalcohol and ethyl alcohol saturated units of wood disposed within thevessel and outgas congeners from the liquid, the vessel furtherproviding at least one vent structured and arranged to vent theoutgassed congeners.